BRIEFLY : END URGED TO LAPD PERSONNEL MEMOS.

A Police Commission adviser said the LAPD should abolish the use of ``miscellaneous memos'' to dispose of personnel complaints not believed serious enough to warrant full investigations.

Special Counsel Merrick Bobb said he has reviewed 151 miscellaneous memos and believes one-third of the cases should have been the subject of full investigations with findings of whether the charges were sustained or not.

Unlike the regular complaint investigation system, the memos are noted but not placed in-full in personnel files or tracked by the department.

``I believe the abuse of (memos) is best addressed by elimination of (memos) and the creation of specific new categories subject to better oversight and control,'' Bobb wrote in a report to the board.

Bobb also called for the commission to require the chief of police to notify the panel when he changes the classification of a complaint, to provide greater accountability.

SOURCE: - Daily News

Glendale police nab suspect in pot raid

GLENDALE - Police said Friday they have recovered 200 marijuana plants from a Lake Street home and have arrested one of two suspects on felony drug charges.

Paul Lee Harris, 35, was arraigned Friday in Glendale Municipal Court on charges of cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana. Police have also secured a warrant for the arrest of Don Andrews Jr., who lived at 1428 Lake St., where an elaborate marijuana growing operation was in place, said Officer Scott Bickle of the Glendale Police Department's Narcotics Detail.

Bickle said the marijuana recovered had a street value of about $25,000.

Both bedrooms, the garage and shed at the Lake Street home were all set up with grow lights and plant hoods for marijuana cultivation, Bickle said.

SOURCE: - Daily News

Nader to discuss quake insurance

NORTH HILLS - Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is slated to speak about problems with earthquake insurance and the proposed California Earthquake Authority tonight at 7 at the Unitarian Church at 9550 Haskell Ave. in North Hills.

The talk is being sponsored by a nonprofit group called Community Assisting Recovery Inc.

SOURCE: - Daily News

Man fatally shot while using ATM

A man was shot to death Friday while using an automatic teller machine in South Los Angeles, police said.

The 50-year-old man was attacked at 1:25 a.m. Friday while making a deposit at the Home Savings of America branch at 5717 S. Vermont Ave., said Los Angeles police Detective Charles Merritt of the South Bureau Homicide.

``While the victim was conducting his transaction, a male . . . approached, armed with a handgun,'' he said. ``The suspect robbed and shot the victim.''

Two friends who were with the man flagged down police, Merritt said.

The victim died at the scene. His identity was withheld pending notification of relatives, he said.

SOURCE: - City News Service